Emergency Information

Prepare Emergency Kits for Home, Office and Car

There are many sources that provide information about recommended supplies you should have in the event of an emergency. The following Web sites provide information about assembling or purchasing emergency kits:

Emergency Essentials is a Web site that offers information about how to prepare for an emergency, and an online catalog to purchase supplies.

SafetyCentral has compiled a list to help you prepare for an emergency.

Below are some general recommendations for emergency kits.

Home Emergency Kit

Food: At least a three-day supply of nonperishable food. Foods that can be eaten without chilling or heating, such as canned meat and fish, vegetables, and fruit are best.

First Aid: Store items in Ziplock™ bags or other airtight containers to avoid moisture and contamination.

Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes

Safety pins, in various sizes

Cleansing agent/soap

Two pairs of latex gloves

Sunscreen

Four to six (each) 2- and 4-inch gauze pads

Three triangular bandages

Four to six 2- and 3-inch roller bandages

Scissors

Tweezers

Needles

Pre-moistened towelettes

Antiseptic

Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant

Thermometer

Tongue blades

Nonprescription drugs, including:

Pain reliever, such as aspirin

Antacid

Laxative

Anti-diarrhea medication

Any medication commonly used by members of the household.

Water: Store in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles and replace at least every six months. Store one gallon per person, per day, providing adequate supply for a minimum of three days.

Clothing/ Bedding: Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear for each person, as well as blankets or sleeping bags.

Tools and Supplies:

Plastic/paper cups, plates, utensils

Battery-operated radio with extra batteries

Flashlight (s) with extra batteries

Candles and matches in airtight package

Fire extinguisher

Manual can opener

Utility knives

Pliers, screw driver and duct tape

Aluminum foil

Ziplock™ bags

Signal flare

Thread

Paper, pencil

Plastic sheeting

Whistle

Wrench (to turn off household gas and water)

Special Items: As required for babies, including formula and any medications. Plastic garbage bags with ties, a plastic bucket with a tight lid, toilet paper, towelettes, chlorine bleach and personal hygiene items for sanitary purposes.

Important Documents: These should always be kept in a portable, waterproof container if they're in your home. The best place for original documents when they are not in use is a safety deposit box.

Will, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds

Passports, social insurance cards, immunization records

Bank account numbers

Credit card account numbers and companies

Inventory of valuable household goods

Important telephone numbers

Family records, such as birth, marriage and death certificates

Make sure all family members know where the kit is located.

Car Emergency Kits

An "emergency, call police" sign to put in the windshield and a red cloth that could be tied to an antenna.

Your car's first aid kit should contain all the items listed under your home kit. Don't forget you'll need a full kit for your home and each vehicle.

Clothing and bedding are vital when driving in winter conditions. Make sure you have a full extra set of clothing for everyone and that all the items of clothing and footwear fit properly and are practical.

A simple stock of food, including chocolate bars in Ziplock™ bags.

At home, motoring or when traveling anywhere, always make sure to have some extra cash on hand as well as a list of any medication you might require urgently. Ask your doctor if you should carry extra prescriptions.